Surf Rock Instrumental Review: Various Artists-American Surf Treasures Volume 1 & 2

Paul Johnson’s importance to the development of surf-instrumental music, more specifically South Bay Surf, cannot be overstated. His contributions to the genre helped to create and establish the music as a viable source of entertainment for teenagers nationwide during the early sixties. He is so vital that he stands alongside The Ventures, The Shadows, Merrell Fankhauser, and Link Wray as one of the true pioneers and innovators of a musical genre that has a colorful past and continues to grow and evolve today.

These two CDs, aptly titled American Surf Treasures Volume 1 & 2, are a significant part of surf-instrumental music history. Volume one delves into PJ’s work and his collaboration with The Galaxies and Art Fisher of the Journeyman, offering a glimpse into the admiration and respect PJ had for Artie and his group. This is not just a collection of music, but a historical narrative of PJ’s journey and his influence on the genre.

 

PJ was ready to grow and move on as a developing and influential guitar player at all times, hence his continuing evolution in several different groups and metamorphosis into a fabulous solo career that is going with a full head of steam to this day (check out his MP3 site-remember that?).

 

Volume two gives you a glimpse of some of the more progressive groups of the time, chosen by PJ to record and be guided by his musical genius in the studio. The Nocturnes, Vibrants, Wheely McSidewalk & The Ball Bearings (how do you like that name!), and the Revelairs, known for their experimental and innovative approach to surf music, are given equal time with their priceless songs. It proves the influence, importance, and respect that PJ had from his peers in the genre early on.

 

Some of these songs are surprisingly rocking for the time they were recorded. You can tell that the playing is slightly restrained, so they would not veer off too far into the rock and roll sound, a more aggressive and vocal-driven style, that could have soon derailed the surf-instro music phenomenon dead in its tracks.

 

Volume one has twenty-five tracks while volume two is bulging with twenty-eight tracks. How could I possibly cite any one song as a standout? They are all timeless pieces of surf-instrumental history, forever linked together. There was not one song that I didn’t enjoy.

 

That says a lot for the selection and quality of the songs and the sound.

 

The only drawback to the entire set is that the folks at Gee-Dee ignored PJ’s request to proofread the liner notes. It’s rife with errors. It’s a shame because it’s an exciting and fabulous read that could have been given the care it deserved, to complement the immense quality and significance of the collection. It’s an easy enough error to overlook when you sit and listen to the music, so don’t let that stop you from picking up these priceless gems.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
September 7, 2001

Track Listing

Volume One:

01. Tally Ho

02. Andele

03. Rise And Fall Of Flingel Blunt

04. The Shimmy (AKA Side Two)

05. Wild Goose

06. The Moldau

07. One Mint Julep

08. Rockin’ Pnuemonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu

09. Big Shot

10. Scouse

11. Lanky Bones

12. Comin’ Home Baby

13. Belly Button

14. Ramrod

15. Vamonos

16. (It’s Gonna) Work Out Fine

17. Squad Car

18. Mariah

19. Fink 20. Work Out

21. Bag’s Groove

22. Surfer’s Blues

23. Surfer’s Rule

24. Artie’s Blues

25. Rum Runner

 

*Tracks 1-14 are PJ & The Galaxies, 15-19 are PJ & Artie, 20-25 are the Journeyman.

 

Volume Two:

01. Third Star To The Left

02. Sticky

03. Bha-Ree-Ba!

04. Space Probe

05. Surfer Street

06. Midnight Run

07. Journey To The Stars

08. HonkyTonk

9. Comin’ Home Baby

10. Wipeout

11. Shootin’ The Pier

12. Memphis Beat

13. Funky Beat

14. Surf Beat

15. San-Ho-Zay

16. Hawaiian Warchant

17. Ridin’ High

18. Skokiaan

19. Scorpion

20. Zorchy

21. Stomp Crazy

22. Wild Fire

23. The Breeze

24. Fuel Injection

25. Whispering

26. Theme From “Blacksaddle”

27. Dark Eyes

28. The Cruel Sea Third Star To The Left

 

*Tracks 1-11 are the Nocturnes, 12-14 are Wheely McSidewalk & The Ball Bearings, 15-18 are the Revelairs, 19-24 are the Vibrants, 25-28 are the Revelairs.

Instrumental Review: Paul Johnson - Liquid Blues

Paul Johnson, a guitar maestro of legendary proportions in the surf-instro community, has been a household name since the 1960s. His creation of classic surf-instrumental songs, such as “Mr. Moto,” is a testament to his expertise and influence in the industry.

Now with Liquid Blues, the man defies any musical categorization by blending every popular genre into one instrumental gem after another. 

Some styles you will find more prevalent than others, hence you have descriptive titles like “Liquid Blues” and “Albion Blues”, whose main focal point is its namesake, but with a more of an instro twist, using bits and pieces of every genre and sub-genre to make it a full menu of instrumental delights. And oh, so delightful it is.

PJ has his foot on the pedal, and he gives it plenty of gas on every track on this fantastic CD. He has it all covered on tracks 1-14, and each one is a standout musical statement. With a rich history of creativity behind him, he expertly records an all-inclusive, non-stop trip around the musical map. While tremendous technical ability is an asset, one cannot overstate the importance of the experience and knowledge that an artist acquires over the years. Regarding his favorite weapon, the versatile six-string… PJ has a resume to be reckoned with.

Once again (as on Surf Unplugged), PJ covers “California Dreamin’” only this time he plugs it in. For me, hearing this song is a divine musical transport. I recall it from when I was a little boy, and I knew it was special back then. It still holds a particular attraction and power over me, coaxing chills up and down my spine.

Paul Johnson is heaven-sent, and his music is delivered straight from heaven via his heart and communicated through his hands. This CD is a masterwork of guitar genius. This is what music is all about; it’s supposed to make you feel every possible emotion, sight, and sound that we know as sentient beings on this planet.

If you have an unquenchable appetite for instrumental music like I do, you will Love this CD.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
March 17, 2001

Artist Commentary:

I asked Paul why he titled the album Liquid Blues. This is what he had to say:

Partly, it depends on how you define "blues." No, this ain't a hardcore blues collection (though I think "Albion Blues" might qualify in that dept.) But most of the music is "blues-based" in its structure (this is
true for a lot of music) in that it's derived from forms rooted in the blues idiom.

But more to the point, it evolved as an album title after I came up with that name for the title tune. After I created that piece, I wanted to name it "liquid" something, because of its fluid nature. And even though it isn't "down and dirty," it is very much a blues-structured tune. Hence - "Liquid Blues." And since everyone seemed to like the ring of that, it went into high contention for an album title.

Tracks:

01. Andele

02. California Dreamin’

03. Greenroom

04. Uptown Strut

05. Spiro

06. Java Jump

07. Desert Madness (tango)

08. Coney Island Fever

09. Big Shot

10. Tsunami

11. Liquid Blues

12. Albion Blues

13. The Ring Of Truth

14. Perseverance

Surf Instro Review: The Surfaris-Basic Tracks

I was intrigued when I received a professional letter from Paul Johnson's management about the recent The Surfaris release. PJ, a surf-instrumental guitar legend, and this band, one of the originals from the first wave of surf-instrumental, coming together to remake the essential tracks that helped to spawn an entire genre is a significant event. Their influence on the surf-instrumental genre is undeniable, and their music should be appreciated and respected.

Basic Tracks is a title that means more than it implies. These songs set the standard and paved the way for an entire genus of music. They are classics that will never age as long as someone is willing to play them, re-record them, and engage new listeners.

The Surfaris have reformed and updated each song with the crackling sparkle of a cold wave crashing to the shoreline, that shoreline being your ears, mind, and senses. How many versions of "Wipe Out" and "Misirlou" have you heard? I reckon quite a few, but if you are a true instro fan, you never tire of hearing those songs. Look at the mileage groups like The Ventures and artists like Merrell Fankhauser (the original creator of "Wipe Out," in case you did not know) have gotten from their catalogs of extensive material over the years.

There is an apparent reason for this: their music has qualities that people can relate to; it enables listeners to find validation in a particular time or place. This collection is no different, and the effect is the same; the songs sound new and refreshing again.

Songs constructed like this are different; there are no words, just music. That gives each track an edge and flexibility, allowing many types of musical styles to be used and reshaped time after time.

Although this is not common practice, as these songs usually remain intact within the framework of this particular musical style, they can come back again like unlimited refills at a soda fountain, with a little more juice and a twist of lime for flavor.

As the back of this CD says, legends live forever. Yes, they do, and so does their music. 

"Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

February 18, 2003

Tracks:

1. The Wedge

2. Penetration

3. Apache

4. Point Panic

5. Hawaii 5-0

6. Misirlou

7. Wipe Out

8. Similau

9. Link Wray Medley 

Credits:

Robert Watson-Keyboards

David Raven-Drums

Brian Condren Hampton-Percussion

Jim Fuller-Acoustic Guitars

Jay Truax-Bass

Greg Simp-Band Tech

Paul Johnson-Guitar

Jim Pash-Guitar/Saxophone